Cleveland Indians - PlayerWatch

October 04, 2013|Reuters

RHP Frank Herrmann (Tommy John surgery in March 2013) missed the entire season. He should be back pitching again at some point during spring training.

DH Jason Giambi only hit .183 as a 42-year-old part-time player in 2013. However, Giambi finished with nine home runs and 31 RBIs in 186 at-bats, including two walk-off homers. He also is a big favorite of manager Terry Francona for his leadership and clubhouse presence. It will be interesting to see whether Giambi chooses to keep playing and, if so, whether the Indians would bring him back in 2014. If the answer to the former is "yes," so, too, in all likelihood, is the answer to the latter.

LHP Scott Kazmir was the only left-hander in the Cleveland rotation, and he had a very good year, finishing well and putting himself in a position to seek a hefty contract on the free agent market. Kazmir was 10-9 with 4.04 ERA overall, but in five September starts, he went 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA while averaging almost 14 strikeouts per nine innings. Kazmir likely will be able to command a multiyear deal, whether it's from the Indians, who would like to re-sign him, or another team.

RHP Ubaldo Jimenez resurrected his career in such dramatic fashion in 2013 that it may be a challenge for the Indians to keep him in Cleveland. In 2012, Jimenez went 9-17 with a 5.40 ERA and led the AL in losses. He rebounded this year to go 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA. He was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for September after going 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA in six starts. He has an $8 million mutual club option for 2014, so in order to keep Jimenez, the Indians probably must negotiate a multiyear contract.

RHP Chris Perez, an All-Star in 2011 and 2012, lost the closer job at the end of the 2013 season, and his future with the team is very much in doubt. Perez had a 9.64 ERA in September. Perez, who made $7.3 million this year, is eligible for salary arbitration. It would not be a surprise if the Indians traded or non-tendered him.

SS Asdrubal Cabrera's future with the Indians could be iffy for several reasons. He had the worst year of his career in 2013, hitting .242 with 14 home runs and 64 RBIs. Cabrera can become a free agent after the 2014 season, and the Indians have SS Francisco Lindor, a 19-year-old prospect, probably less than a year away from being major league ready. It would not be a surprise to see the Indians trade Cabrera during the offseason or at some point during the 2014 season.

C Lou Marson (strained right shoulder) missed virtually all of the 2013 season. He should be ready to play by the start of spring training.